The University of Hamburg is the largest public research university in Germany and the leading academic institution in Northern Germany. Based in Hamburg, one of Europe’s most important port and business cities, the university is renowned for the humanities and social sciences, law, economics and business, medicine, psychology, education, natural sciences, mathematics, computer science, climate research, earth sciences, language studies and interdisciplinary research. It is ideal for students who want a large public university with a strong research profile, urban career opportunities and access to a global trade, media, logistics and cultural center.

The university was founded in 1919 and has developed into a full research university with a range of faculties and a broad spectrum of programmes. The academic profile includes law, business administration, economics, social sciences, medicine, education, psychology, humanities, mathematics, informatics, natural sciences, earth system sciences and sustainability related fields. The university is particularly renowned for its research in climate, marine and earth sciences, law, economics, social sciences, psychology and the humanities.

In many cases, undergraduate programs at the University of Hamburg are taught in German. International applicants must pay special attention to the German language requirements before applying. Field of Study Undergraduate: Law, Business Administration, Economics, Social Sciences, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, Education, History, Philosophy, Languages, Literature, Media Studies, Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geosciences, Earth System Sciences, Medicine, Dentistry and Teacher Education. Certain regulated fields may have state examination paths rather than traditional bachelor’s programs.

At the master’s level, the University of Hamburg has both German-taught and English-taught programs. Popular fields of postgraduate study are: Economics, Business Administration, International Business and Sustainability, Politics, Economics and Philosophy, Peace and Security Studies, European and European Legal Studies, Intelligent Adaptive Systems, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Molecular Life Sciences, Marine Ecosystem and Fisheries Sciences, Integrated Climate System Sciences, Earth System Sciences, Psychology, Education, Languages and Humanities. Admission requirements vary from program to program.

University of Hamburg supports research in medicine, law, economics, business, social sciences, humanities, education, psychology, mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, climate research, earth sciences and interdisciplinary fields at doctoral level. PhD students can work in faculties, graduate schools, research centres, hospital associated structures and projects managed by supervisors. Especially in the fields of climate, sustainability, law, society, health and natural sciences the research landscape in Hamburg is very strong.

The University of Hamburg does not charge tuition fees for regular degree programs. No tuition fees, but a semester contribution. The semester contribution for summer semester 2026 is given as EUR 384 and includes some student service and public transport-related components. Students should also budget for accommodation, health insurance, food, transport, study materials, visa or residence permit fees and personal expenses. Hamburg can be more expensive than smaller German cities, particularly as far as housing is concerned, but it provides good career and cultural opportunities.

The University of Hamburg is the overall best choice for students who want a large public research university in a major international city. It is particularly suited for students interested in law, economics, business, medicine, psychology, climate research, social sciences, humanities, media, education, sustainability, computer science, public policy and doctoral study.